Participants at the ongoing maiden States Emergency Management Agency, SEMA conference have commended the Lagos State government for its huge investment in Emergency and Disaster Management.
The participants from the six Geo-political zones of the country said they have learned, relearn and unlearn on effective strategies deployed by Lagos during the three days conference themed; Strengthening sub-national Emergency Management for a Resilience Nigeria held in Ikeja and Igando.
Some of the participants from the North East, North Central and South East regions shared their experiences during the conference, noting that their respective States need a lot of political will and funding to meet up with what is on ground in Lagos.
Indeed Lagos remains the best in Emergency Management, no state in the country can compete with Lagos, and so we will go back to our state governments and present what we have learned in Lagos, so that we can also emulate such for effective emergency and disaster management in our different Geo-political zones.
In an interview with newsmen, Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Agencies, Mr Gbenga Oyerinde, said the summit had avail each state the opportunity to share their challenges, brainstorm on solutions and taking proposals back to their state government for implementation to combat emergency effectively and efficiently.
Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu who is the host explained that collaboration is the major ingredient for successful emergency management, noting that safety of lives and property should be a priority to any responsible government.
He saluted all the first responders for their sacrifice, selflessness and dedicated to safe lives, describing them as the unsung heros in Emergency Management.
“I repeat they are the unsung heroes of emergency management, I say kudos to them and three gbosas, Lagos will continue to do its best to ensure your welfare at all times for your sacrifice to saving lives”.
A live simulation exercise of Vehicle gutted by fire during accident and workers trapped in building collapse were displayed to the admiration of participants to show inter-agencies collaboration in rescue operations.
Reporting by Yemisi Dada